ACAMIS Beijing Football Tournament Report

Having coached most of these boys for two years, it has been my honour to see them mature as players and into young men. They have never lacked in skill or commitment, but this season has seen them add competitive steel and bite to their game, which has been fundamental to our success. Against often bigger and older teams, we have shown time and time again that we are one of the best teams in the China region.

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Going the whole season undefeated in the Pudong SISAC league was a real achievement and the boys entered the Shanghai cross-river tournament with high hopes. Unfortunately we lost several key players to injury and some to the 11-a-side team, and we were defeated in the semi-finals by the eventual winners, Suzhou. However, it was the ACAMIS tournament which was the culmination of our season, and what a tournament it was.

Over three hot days in Beijing, the boys won 4 out of their 5 group games. They then had to face the mighty SCIS Hongqiao team in the semis, and a marvelous BCIS team in the final. A hard fought 1-0 win in the semis, with a beautiful team goal finished off by our Jeongwoo Kim, was then followed by a final that will go down in ACAMIS folklore. For the first half BCIS had us penned in to our own half. Ben Murphy was outstanding in goal with several fine saves, including one penalty save, as the team defended with their lives.

After a motivating talk at half time from their coach, the boys came out fired up for the second half. Then, with 3 minutes to go, Naser Dajani-Keenan popped up with a gem of an equalizer. Extra time it was. The pressure began to tell and our tireless efforts were rewarded when our midfield warhorse Naser Dajani-Keenan pick-pocketed the keeper for a 2-1 lead. However, there was still time for a BCIS last minute equalizer when the smallest man on the pitch rose like a salmon with a bullet header. At 2-2 and penalties it was Luca, Jeongwoo and Joaquin were the three nominated takers. However, only 2 penalties were required, as Ben Murphy was the hero of the hour with 2 fine saves. Luca Ruisi and Jeongwoo Kim took the boys home. What a way to end the season! I really am so proud of this group of boys. It was a real honour to coach them all and I wish them every success in the future.
Mr Joe Dawson

U19 Girls 7 A-Side ACAMIS Tournament Report

The girls approached the tournament with confidence and knew to win the event they needed to beat their nemesis SCIS Hongqiao. The girls began the tournament with a great team performance and beat BCIS by 14 – 0. The girls’ second game was against RCHK and they won by 3 – 0. The second day, the girls beat BISS 11 – 0 and won their fourth game against KAS by 6 – 0. The final group game of the day was against SCIS HQ. The game started brightly for the girls but within two minutes, after their first attack, SCIS scored. The rest of the first half was tight and the team went in at half time 1 – 0 down. In the second half the SCIS HQ team dominated the game and won by 3 – 0. The girls were disappointed but knew if they met SCIS HQ in the final what they needed to do to win.

On the final day the girls won their semi-final by 2 – 0 in a close game with RCHK. The final came in the afternoon and both teams were pumped. The girls played outstandingly and scored through Jule Scholten. The team went in at half time 1 – 0 up and were very confident. In the second half, SCIS HQ began to attack at will and the girls defended really well. Five minutes from the end, SCIS HQ scored from a corner and we went into extra time. In the extra time our girls were the stronger team and created some chances but, with neither team able to score, we went to penalties. The girls scored their first penalty through Jule. Sophie Qeyen, who was without a doubt the player of the tournament, missed her penalty, and was followed by the SCIS player who also missed her penalty. Isabel scored the third penalty. Sarah Thornton, who had a great game, did her best to save the penalties but was beaten by a very good penalty. It went to sudden death and the captain Alice Lindquist who took the penalty sadly missed and the SCIS HQ girls scored.

The team finished runners up but deserved more from the tournament and knew if they had the breaks at certain times of the game they could have won. We are so proud of what our girls have achieved in the tournament and throughout the season.